[monday]

"? Didn't the principles of capitalism and free markets exist before government?"

You are joking right? I don't know when the concept of Capitalism and free markets began, Possibly with Locke? But Government has always been the principal obstacle to actual free trade and Capitalism. They still are, even our government. But yes you are right in the since that they did exist before the US government. Remember that government is essentially a gang that the rest of us pay protection money to. In this since government has existed as long as there have been people.

[TopQuark]

You are joking right? I don't know when the concept of Capitalism and free markets began, Possibly with Locke? I know not whether tonyinv was joking, but you certainly mix a few fruits here. Capitalism is different from the concept thereof. Elements of capitalism where present from the early stages of the humankind. It also doid not come into being via a revolution but, rather, as evolution.

The governments existed in Neanderthal times --- the tribal elders.